What's it like on the inside
Cab modifications
When I did the coil-spring conversion and the body modifications I also did some work on the inside of the Wagoneer. The interior had been neglected ever since I bought the truck in 1990. Years ago I removed the bench seat and replaced it with some seats out of a Citroen CX, but the carpets and everything else was in a very bad state. And over the years I've also done so many modifications to the electric system that it started to be very confusing to search if something went bad. |
|
What I wanted was a new dashboard with new gauges that were both easier to read and a little bit more reliable than the original ones from Jeep. I also wanted to do a cleanup on the electrical system. And I wanted a interior that could be hosed out when needed, so all insulation and carpets had to go.
The new dashboard
I removed the instrument insert and made a new one out off aluminium. I made it so I could have fuel level, water temperature, oil pressure and a volt meter together with the speedometer. I reused the original speedometer and planned to use Autometer gauges for the rest. I ended with a vast collection of gauges from various brands with only the mechanical oil pressure gauge beeing an Autometer, but I'm still planning to change all of them to Autometers some time (soon I hope). I also have warning lights for Low Fuel Level, 4wd, High Beam, Alternator, Low Oil Pressure and the electric fans on the bottom of the dash insert. I did this because it can be hard to see the gauges when the terrain is difficult.
I also removed the glove box and cut out the sheetmetal where the radio and the ashtray is located. In the top space I added some additional gauges (actually two are added the other two remains un-installed at the moment) The two that are installed are a Transmission Temperature gauge and a Vacuum gauge. The two not installed is supposed to be an Air/Fuel meter and a Air Pressure gauge for my On-Board Air Supply The A/F meter was put into work on my J20 and my Pressure gauge was without internal lights, so until I find one with lights it will remain un-installed. And my Tachometer is placed on top off the dash.
Center Console
I soon found out that when I used the 5-point harness I could not reach any switches on the original dashboard. Also, I was not too happy with the column shifter for the transmission. So I made a center console for all the switches and the B&M shifter. The console also have the shifters for the QT cable-shifted low-range and 4wd. The console goes from the dash right at the top where the glovebox used to be and down to the floor between the seats. It has a frame that is made from some tubing I had in the garage with an aluminium top plate. It is hinged onto the dash and by removing the bolt that holds the frame to the floor, I can raise the console and get access to the transmission. All the shifters are cable-operated so it's just the one bolt. Having this feature is very handy and can really save some time when it's transmission working time.
Together with the shifters, all the electric switches are located on the center console. And with my new dash insert, there where no place for the heater controls. I took the controls out of the original dash and placed them on the console aswell. The only switches that are placed somewhere else is the two master cut-off switches that I have. One is placed on the floor behind the console and one is located on the outside of the Wagoneer in case I can't operate it myself after an accident. The switch for my Anti-Theft System is also at another location, but I won't tell you where :-))
Electrical System
I rewired the entire truck because I felt that it was more work to try to adapt the original system to my new needs. Also the fuse box was getting to small and I wanted to use relays for most off the installations. The fun part was removing the old one :-) Then I sat down and made a drawing for the new electrical system. I used to have a Citroen CX, and most of the switches and relays came from that car. French cars aren't known for their bulletproof electrical system, but I feel that this has mostly to do with the craftmanship they use when they install it not the components themselves. I also used the fusebox from the CX and placed it underneath the dashboard on the passenger side of the Wagoneer.
Some of the relays are placed on the fusebox but most of them are placed on the top of the firewall in the engine compartment. Here they are well protected against the elements and should keep dry even if I meet some deep water. I suspect that if the water is deep enough the reach this spot, I will have some other problems at the same time :-) Also the wiring goes into the cab through a hole right next to the relays. Most of the electrical system is just like it was originally, but some things are different. I have 2 main cutoff switches wired into the system. They kill the lines to the batteries so when operated the Wag will shut down. I also have a pressure switch wired into the ignition, so if the oil pressure drops under 5psi the engine shuts down. And there is a solenoid for the double batteries that is wired so I can choose either one battery or both together. I can also jumpstart myself.
Seats, Harness and Steering Wheel
The seat are the ones I have used for many years. I took them from the same Citroen that my wiring came from. The only thing that I altered when I installed them this time, where that I removed the ability to adjust them. I do not need this feature and I feel they are better secured to the floor without this. They are bolted through the floor with large support plates on the underside. The harness is also bolted through the floor with steel plates on both sides of the floor pans. It may be more secure if the harness is bolted to the roll cage but the steel plates are large on both side and I feel that this is good enough.
|
|
|
Questions ?
Home Offroad Onroad Plans Tech Myself Links Gallery
Misc Music MAIL ME
Suspension
Engine
Transmission
Transfer
Body Interior Axles Air-Supply